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Hit The Deck

Consider these spatial factors before adding a deck to your home.

If you’re lucky enough to have a home that features a panoramic view, there’s nothing quite like a quality LYSAGHT LIVING® deck to create your own private vantage point. Ready to hit the deck? Here's what you absolutely need to know when it comes to space and form in decking...

ACCESS: If you’ve pinpointed that perfect spot to enjoy a sunny breakfast, you need to check what’s on the ground and what’s under it – like pipes and cables. With a clean area to work with, it’s then crucial to consider access to the deck itself. Matching your deck’s floor level with that of your existing home provides ease of access and indoor/outdoor living appeal.

CLEARANCE: When considering a deck, it’s a common mistake to think a deck can be built directly on the ground. The room under your deck provides space for your framework and should be of at least 500mm high for an enclosed deck. Your LYSAGHT LIVING® dealer can help you with local council regulations.

AIRFLOW: Clearance also plays another important factor in promoting all-important airflow. Most Australian hardwoods don’t fare well when they’re low to the ground. Without adequate airflow, a deck can succumb to cupping – in which one side of the deck absorbs more moisture than the other. This results in shrinking and expansion and the unfortunate problem of bowed timber deck boards.

Protecting your deck from the elements should be a key consideration in your choice of deck. A simple way to address this is by the introduction of steel products in an otherwise timber design. In addition to its extremely durable nature that is resistant to rotting, peeling, warping, and chipping, steel components will also survive the appetite of Australia’s termite population of more than 300 species.